Andy May is a soft-spoken man who calls children “youngsters” and adults “folks.” His talent as a musician and teacher is undisputed, but he’s likely best known as the founder of the Acoustic Kids Showcase. The showcase is a non-competitive “Opry-style” performance program that allows musicians [16] and younger to perform on professional stages at festivals around the country.

Andy has a remarkable ability to make kids feel welcomed and valued as a person and musical contributors. I’m so glad Acoustic Kids has stayed involved in the community, because not only does it give all these kids good memories, but as they grow up, they’ll remember that their contribution is important. – Sara Watkins(Website)

All of us down at Mt. Pleasant Middle School …remember your show as being one of the best we’ve ever had. …It’s hard to hold the attention of middle school kids, and you and your band certainly did the trick.

—Camille Allen, Mt. Pleasant Middle School of the Visual and Performing Arts, TN

Andy May has tremendous respect among traditional musicians nationwide. [He] has developed a program that … is devoted to the preservation of American traditional music. …The materials presented in his performances work well with the PBS documentary series “American Roots Music”….

I thoroughly endorse and encourage your continued work in this area, and I think you’re uniquely situated to help implement future programming of this sort. Every school should be lucky enough to benefit from it.